Tag: International Orphan Support

Posted on

Need Inspiration? Just look around

I rode my bike 100 miles today as part of the 120 for Orphans, a fund raising project for a clean water project at a Haitian orphanage: (click here: 120 for Orphans – admitted shameless plug!). I was at mile 82. I was tired, it was cold and I was getting leg cramps. I was seriously thinking about stopping for the day.

At that point, I saw a young family; a guy, his wife and a little baby. They were setting up for a bike ride on the trail I was on. Here’s the thing: both parents were paraplegic, they were preparing to ride their hand powered trikes. Suddenly, I found the strength to finish the last 18 miles.

We probably don’t need to look very hard to find someone who is doing something harder than we are, with tougher situations than we have. The next time you want to give up, take a peek around. You may surprised at the inspiration you find to keep moving forward.

Posted on

here we go again!

I am in prep mode for this year’s 120 for Orphans, a 120 mile bike ride sponsored by International Orphan Support, to help children in need. The project this year will fund a clean water system for a beautiful orphanage in Haiti, Destiny Village. Our goal is to raise $10,000. Can you help? Just go to our fundraising website by clicking here.  Every dime you donate will go directly to this project – no administrative costs!

I have personally visited Destiny Village. The kids are beautiful, and the need is sincere.

By the way, last years’ 120 for Orphans raised enough money to dig a fresh water well for an orphanage in Dufailly, Haiti.  So this thing works! Will you help?

Posted on

Haiti and Guatemala pictures

I realize that I have yet to post pictures from my recent trips to Haiti and Guatemala for International Orphan Support. My apologies. I was privileged to visit 5 orphanages, 3 in Haiti and 2 in Guatemala from April 16-23. Below are a few of the children I met and memories I made. The children are from Destiny Village in Haiti and El Amor de Patricia and Casa Shalom in Guatemala. I hope you enjoy seeing their faces and will consider making a donation to help provide for their needs. The best way to do so is to support our Run for Love 5K which takes place this Saturday, May 12. Here is the link with the details.

Posted on

Haiti day 3

Day 3 in Haiti alone was worth the trip. After hanging out and being encouraged by my good friends, Jim and Gina Hudson, they delivered me to HIS Home for Children. This is an incredible orphanage run by Hal and Chris Nungester. I didn’t even get a chance to meet Hal in my 2.5 hour visit, but Chris is one of the more remarkable people I’ve ever met. They started the home 10 years ago and have astounding stories of rescue and hope. I was enthralled by her earthquake saga!

The 140 children at HIS home are beautiful. Some of them are special needs, some are ill but most simply need a ton of love. They all belong to God but the Nungesters and their team are hands-on for sure. I was thrilled to be able to meet Schella, a sweet baby girl our good friends Jeremy and Ashley are in the process of adopting. She’s amazing! God bless you Jeremy and Ashley!

I plan to return to Haiti in the near future. There is much good that International Orphan Support can do even though it will be in small increments.

Posted on

Haiti day 2

The second day of my visit to Haiti has been encouraging. We left Destiny Village long before daylight to get started on the drive up the mountain to Duffailly. There is a small orphanage that we visited in 2010 and International Orphan Support and friends have been supporting them since then. I was so encouraged to personally see the building in such better shape. Since we visited last, they have added electricity, doors, windows, paint and a security wall. The children were in class so I didn’t get to interact with them much but I took some nice photos. I was able to leave them with a bunch of new shoes and clothes, as well as some treats.

It does your heart good to see progress. A special thanks to everyone who donates to IOS. Your gifts are making a big difference!

20120417-142115.jpg

Posted on

Haiti day one

I returned to Haiti for a brief visit for my work with International Orphan Support (iorphan.cc). I spent the first day and night at Destiny Village, an amazing home for children in Pierre Payan. The setting is right on the west coast, 2 hours north of Port au Prince. It feels like a little bit of Paradice here, considering the conditions the children came from and the shape their country is in. I found the kids to be loving and welcoming of me.They are just beautiful.

My visit is brief, early tomorrow I leave for the Duffailly orphanage with my good friends Jim and Gina Hudson. Many thanks to the Destiny Village family – I hope to see you again sometime soon!